Mental Health Digest

Welcome to the Mental Health Digest! This bi-monthly newsletter is a members-only resource for Mental Health Europe's members. It gathers articles, policy news, academic research, advocacy tips, funding opportunities and things from around the web and social media that might be interesting and relevant to your work. See how it works here. 

In this issue, you will find information on MHE’s French Presidency Scorecard, MEP Maria Walsh’s call to make 2023 the European Year of Mental Health, upcoming events, funding opportunities and more. 

The Mental Health Digest welcomes contributions from all our members. The dedicated members’ space on the MHE website offers you an opportunity to share your latest updates, publications and materials with the network. You can send your updates to MHE Communications Team via info@mhe-sme.org. We would be delighted to highlight your work in the next issue! Please note that sharing does not necessarily mean endorsing.

With best wishes,
The MHE Team

MEP Maria Walsh (Co-Chair of MHE’s Coalition for Mental Health and Wellbeing) calls for a necessary update of current EU legislation concerning mental health. MHE fully supports MEP Maria Walsh’s call for mental health to be urgently tackled by cross-sectional and integrated policies, as part of a comprehensive EU Mental Health Strategy and a European Year dedicated to Mental Health in 2023. 

Learn more and sign the petition (deadline 8 September) by MEP Maria Walsh to make 2023 the European Year of Mental Health. 

 Mental Health Ireland's new website for World Mental Health Month 2022 
A new suite of resources encouraging people to get involved are now available on the new website.  

 Mental Health Ireland's new guide 'Farmer Health and Safety'
The guide offers advice (tips for mental health and wellbeing) on the various health issues that pertain to farmers and their work.

 British Psychological Society (BPS) launched new campaign to make social class a protected characteristic
In a new report highlighting the psychological impact of class-based inequalities and discrimination, the BPS states that to truly tackle the widening social mobility gap, social class should be protected under the Equalities Act.

 Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Scotland
The new Strategy aims to do the right things to improve mental health and wellbeing for people in Scotland. The Strategy also aims to be equality and human rights-based. Penumbra is seeking views (also the views of people who have experienced mental health issues) on whether the draft overall vision and the draft outcomes are the right ones. Consultation is open until 9 September.  

 Penumbra Mental Health
At Penumbra, they know that everyone's mental health journey is unique. Be inspired by the stories of the incredible people who partnered with them recently. To learn more, visit Penumbra’s campaign hub.

 Penumbra Mental Health
Various employment opportunities at this pioneering mental health charity for those who have a passion for human rights.   

 Badiliko UK "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" of Work in Covid Times 
Supporting individuals and teams getting to grips with some of the pandemic related sources of work stress. Read more

 Spanish Association of Mental Health Nursing (AEESME) 
The Spanish Association of Mental Health Nursing (AEESME) together with the Portuguese Society of Mental Health Nursing will commemorate the International Day of Mental Health Nursing on 1 September. See the Programme here.

 Society of Social Psychiatry P. Sakellaropoulos (Greece)
The 2021 Annual Report is now available, which includes the most important activities, programmes and initiatives. Find it here. 

Bessel van der Kolk MD spends his career studying how children and adults adapt to traumatic experiences. He has translated emerging findings from neuroscience and attachment research to develop and study a range of treatments for traumatic stress in children and adults.
Listen to the podcast

Ted Talk: This could be why you're depressed or anxious
“Most of the factors that have been proven to cause depression and anxiety are not in our biology. They are factors in the way we live. And once you understand them, it opens up a very different set of solutions that should be offered to people alongside the option of chemical antidepressants.”
Watch the video

WHO-commissioned poem for launch of new guidance on community mental health services based on a rights-based approach
“We must scale-up community-based mental health services that are respectful of people’s human rights.” 
Watch the video

‘Mental Health Care: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver’ 
This talk uncovers the cracks in the US health care system and some of the points are relevant to our context in Europe.  John Oliver: “If we want to be a society that truly respects and values mental health, we have to respect and value mental health care. And this means supporting the people who deliver mental health care.”
Watch the video

1-minute videos with subtitles: ‘Get to know the 2021 EU Health Award winners – educational institutions, NGOs and local authorities and affiliated organisations’ 
The EU Health Award Ceremony in Brussels gathered representatives of educational institutions, NGOs, local authorities and affiliated organisations to announce the winning initiatives targeting cancer prevention and mental health throughout the EU.
Watch the video

All interested parties are invited to send their applications. Deadline: 7 October 2022.

 

This initiative will develop a new global health strategy to respond to the significant changes in global health  and strengthen EU leadership in this area. This public consultation deadline: 19 September 2022.

 

European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety: Call for proposals: 2022 Thematic Networks 

The European Commission invites health stakeholders to submit proposals for a new cycle of Thematic Networks, organised under the framework of the EU Health Policy Platform.  The purpose is to produce a Joint Statement (within 6-9 months) summarising the common position and action of a group of stakeholders organisations on selected public health areas (including mental health in all policies). Submissions deadline: 31 August 2022.  

 

A new call for tenders to organise training programmes for health specialists on the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of national and EU preparedness plans. All interested parties are invited to submit applications. Deadline: 23 September 2022.

 

This programme will provide early career researchers with the opportunity to train as a peer reviewer under the guidance of an experienced mentor on one of six journals in the BPS portfolio. Application deadline: 9 September 2022.